Homemade Almond Amaretti Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) almond flour 2 cups (200g) almond flour
• 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 2 large egg whites 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 90 kcal / 377 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 11g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.02g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the almond extract and continue whisking until soft peaks form.
4. 4.
   Gently fold the egg white mixture into the almond flour mixture until well combined.
5. 5.
   Using your hands, shape the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat evenly.
6. 6.
   Place the coated balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
7. 7.
   Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and slightly cracked on the surface.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, dust the cookies with additional powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond flour — Make sure to use finely ground almond flour for the best texture in the cookies.
• Lemon and orange zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the citrus fruits, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a splash of amaretto liqueur to the dough.
• If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve these almond amaretti cookies alongside a cup of espresso or as a sweet treat after a meal. They also make a lovely gift when packaged in a decorative box or tin.

Presentation advice

Arrange the almond amaretti cookies on a serving platter, dusted with an additional sprinkle of powdered sugar. Garnish with a few strips of lemon or orange zest for an elegant touch.